The Department of Transport has temporarily reintroduced restrictions limiting air passengers to carrying liquids no larger than 100ml in their carry-on luggage.
The gradual rollout of next-generation 3D scanners had led several UK airports to ease restrictions, meaning customers could carry containers holding up to two liters of liquid.
The City of London was the first major airport to do so in April last year, alongside others including Aberdeen, Newcastle, Leeds Bradford, Southend and Teesside.
London City Airport removes 100ml liquid rule in hand luggage
But the DfT said the 100ml limit had been reintroduced at the six airports mentioned above from Sunday, June 9, to “allow further improvements to be made to the new screening systems”.
The BBC also reports that Bristol Airport was due to lift restrictions from June 14, but that this measure would now be delayed.
Speaking to BBC Breakfast on Saturday, Transport Secretary Mark Harper said the reduction would only affect around 6 per cent of travellers.
“For most passengers, actually, the rules haven't changed at all yet and therefore they won't change tonight,” Harper said.
“People should just check with their airport what the rules or processes are at a particular airport.
“We have reintroduced that rule while updates and changes are made to scanning equipment at airports to ensure we can continue to provide our world-leading levels of aviation security.
“It is a temporary measure and we will establish when it can be reversed in due course.”
Interestingly, Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd, which operates several airports in Scotland, relaxed its rules starting June 1and still states on their website that Customers can bring liquids on board in containers of up to two liters..
In December 2022, the government announced what it called the end of the “small toiletries” rule by 2024, and all major airports will be required to replace existing 2D screening technology with more advanced CT security scanners.
Department of Transportation confirms end to airport 'small toiletries' rule by 2024
The original deadline to complete this work was June 2024, but The DfT recently granted extensions to some UK airports.effectively delaying the deadline by one year.
Last week, Birmingham Airport announced that, following the installation of new scanning equipment, travelers can now carry an unlimited number of 100ml bottles in their carry-on luggage, which can be placed loose in luggage and are not necessary to remove them for security control.
However, the airport also confirmed (before the DfT reintroduced the 100ml rule) which was awaiting regulatory approval for customers to carry liquid containers of up to two liters in their hand luggage.
Have you traveled through any of the affected airports since the 100ml limit was reintroduced? Let us know your experience in the comments section below.
